The Disability Law Advocacy Project (DLAP) of the University of Ilorin has successfully hosted the first-ever National Disability Rights Moot Court with participants drawn from seven Nigerian universities.
According to the University Publication on Monday, the event is the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Dr Joshua Olatoke of the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, University of Ilorin, who spoke at the grand finale of the competition held at the University of Ilorin, stated that disability rights had come to stay in Nigeria.
He added that there was growing knowledge about the rights and privileges of the ordinary people.
Olatoke, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) explained that humanity had become more aware that God has created man equally irrespective of his or her colour, age, gender or circumstances of his or her birth.
He said that everyone must be accorded their inalienable rights and privileges without any form of hindrance.
“The growing body of knowledge on the issue has provided increasing insights into fundamental human rights.
“This trend has led to the realisation that these rights are sacrosanct, inalienable and are at the forefront of human rights now,” he said.
The don commended the quality of performance posted by participants at the competition, saying that with the industry, courage, determination and doggedness displayed, “The future of the legal profession is bright”.
He expressed the determination of DLAP to ensure that the Moot Court Competition is sustained so that Nigeria would assume its pride of place within the comity of nations that promotes fundamental human rights.
In his address, the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, Prof. Hakeem Ijaiya, commended the Disability Law Advocacy Project, the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), the International Society of Public Law (ICONS) and the Unilorin for sponsoring and bringing together the participants.
He pointed out that the competition was targeted at ensuring that no one was left behind.
The dean expressed the belief that such disposition would ensure a more “Peaceful and prosperous world where dignity of an individual person and equality among all is applied as the fundamental principle”.
Ijaiya remarked that the competition showcased the ability of people with disability and increased awareness on disability issues.
The publication stated that at the end of the competition, participants from seven universities from all over Nigeria were attracted, with Imo State University emerging the winner while Ebonyi State University was the runner-up.
Also, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and the University of Ilorin jointly took the third position while Lagos State University, Ojo, won the prize for the Best Memorial.
It added that Mr Chidiebere Ogu of Imo State University went home with the Best Oralist Prize for his brilliant performance.